A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts incident light into electric charge, and a charge holding element that receives the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion element, and transfers the electric charge to a corresponding floating diffusion. The charge holding element further includes a plurality of electrodes.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An imaging device, comprising: a plurality of pixels, respectively including: a photoelectric conversion unit, a floating diffusion, a charge holding unit disposed adjacent to the photoelectric conversion unit in a first direction and disposed adjacent to the floating diffusion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a wiring unit coupled to the charge holding unit via a plurality of contacts.
2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the wiring unit comprises: a first wiring coupled to the charge holding unit via a first contact of the plurality of contacts, and a second wiring coupled to the charge holding unit via a second contact of the plurality of contacts.
3. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein: the charge holding unit comprises a first gate electrode, and the first wiring is coupled to the first gate electrode via the first contact.
4. The imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein: the charge holding unit comprises a second gate electrode, and the second wiring is coupled to the second gate electrode via the second contact.
5. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the wiring unit provides a power so as to transfer a charge accumulated at the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding unit.
6. The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a control circuit configured to control operations of the plurality of pixels, and to drive the plurality of pixels to perform a global shutter imaging operation.
7. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pixels respectively include a transfer gate configured to transfer a charge from the charge holding unit to the floating diffusion.
8. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pixels respectively include a photoelectric-conversion-element-reset gate that abuts the photoelectric conversion unit and selectively connects the photoelectric conversion unit to a reset drain.
9. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pixels respectively include a light shielding unit configured to shield the charge holding unit from an incident light.
10. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pixels respectively include a global reset gate disposed between a reset drain and the photoelectric conversion unit.
11. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the charge holding unit comprises a plurality of capacitors arranged in series.
12. An imaging device, comprising: a plurality of pixels, respectively including: a photoelectric conversion unit, a floating diffusion, and a charge holding unit disposed adjacent to the photoelectric conversion unit in a first direction and disposed adjacent to the floating diffusion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the charge holding unit including a plurality of contacts arranged side by side.
13. The imaging device according to claim 12 , further comprising a wiring unit coupled to the plurality of contacts.
14. The imaging device according to claim 13 , wherein the wiring unit provides a power so as to transfer a charge accumulated at the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding unit.
15. The imaging device according to claim 13 , wherein the wiring unit comprises: a first wiring coupled to the charge holding unit via a first contact of the plurality of contacts, and a second wiring coupled to the charge holding unit via a second contact of the plurality of contacts.
16. The imaging device according to claim 15 , wherein: the charge holding unit comprises a first gate electrode, and the first wiring is coupled to the first gate electrode via the first contact.
17. The imaging device according to claim 16 , wherein: the charge holding unit comprises a second gate electrode, and the second wiring is coupled to the second gate electrode via the second contact.
18. The imaging device according to claim 12 , further comprising a control circuit configured to control operations of the plurality of pixels, and to drive the plurality of pixels to perform a global shutter imaging operation.
19. The imaging device according to claim 12 , wherein the charge holding unit comprises a plurality of capacitors arranged in series.
20. An imaging device, comprising: a plurality of pixels, respectively including: a photoelectric conversion unit, a floating diffusion, and a charge holding unit disposed adjacent to the photoelectric conversion unit in a first direction and disposed adjacent to the floating diffusion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein a power is provided via a plurality of contacts so as to transfer a charge accumulated at the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding unit.
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September 17, 2018
February 25, 2020
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